Why the BRICS summit in Russia is a bloody spectacle orchestrated by Putin - Peter Shuklinov.

The BRICS summit in Russia revealed that the Global South is not an ally of Ukraine, nor does it intend to join the war against the West—Russia will perform solo in this circus. The BRICS currency, the abandonment of the dollar, the replacement of SWIFT, and an anti-Western alliance will not materialize.

First, but not the most important, is the number of participants. Last year, the BRICS summit in South Africa gathered over 30 leaders (prime ministers, vice-presidents, presidents), whereas this year, there are fewer than 20.

Second is the status of the participants. A significant number of leaders declined to attend. Specifically, the president of Brazil ("sustained an injury"), the president of Cuba ("energy difficulties"), and the president of Serbia ("meeting with the president of Poland"). No comments needed here.

Putin wanted to stage a separate show with the president of Brazil and hold a meeting of three: Brazil, China (both in the top 10 economies of the world), and Russia (not included). The show titled "the true economic tigers of the world, watch and admire, Bulgarians" had to be canceled at the last moment.

Before the summit, Russia's chief alcoholic, Medvedev, declared that BRICS should become an equivalent to the USSR and fight against the West. However, none of Putin's "global ideas" found support. Nobody, apart from blatant fools, wanted to "fight the West." Even the mere suggestion of such a struggle was dismissed.

India and South Africa openly opposed the politicization of the bloc and its projects. The countries did not endorse actions or ideas aimed against anyone. South Africa stated that creating a BRICS currency would be a "political project." India asserted that this matter should not be discussed. Interestingly, even China showed restraint on this issue.

Prior to the BRICS summit in Moscow, a meeting of finance ministers and heads of central banks from BRICS was supposed to take place. The actual topic of discussion was the "new BRICS currency" and "new SWIFT." However, China, India, South Africa, and others sent junior clerks to the meeting, who had no authority.

Only Russia is under sanctions. Other banks worldwide are reluctant to find themselves in the same boat as Russia. Any efforts to create a system that would bypass the existing banking model directly threaten these countries with sanctions. After all, either way, it would be a circumvention of sanctions imposed by the other half of the world—Europe, the USA, Japan, Canada, Australia, the UK, and others.

And all this to facilitate trade with Russia? More national currencies in bilateral operations—yes; abandoning the dollar—not at all. A new currency, a new SWIFT—these are demands from Moscow, Iran, and North Korea. But not from the Global South, where no one is facing issues with the global financial system.

Moreover, there is no unity within BRICS on most issues—political or economic. Just consider China and India. Add Pakistan, which has applied to join BRICS, and you have a volatile mix of contradictions. The same goes for other countries in the bloc.

India is openly opposed to China's and Russia's aspirations to dominate the organization. This is why it stands against the further expansion of BRICS, where six new countries joined last year and dozens more have applied, including global pariahs like Myanmar or Afghanistan.

Brazil and South Africa share India's position on non-expansion at the expense of pro-Kremlin or pro-Chinese outcasts, officials from these countries told Bloomberg. They are joined by the United Arab Emirates, who did not support transforming the bloc into an anti-Western platform, as they have close ties with EU and US countries.

In other respects, BRICS is an organization where all members are oriented towards China, which is the largest trading partner for each of these countries. China remains silent. Meanwhile, Russia, like a small animal, tries to act and appear louder than anyone else. However, other countries understand that Russia's political influence in BRICS is minimal. And Beijing is not going to war.

However, Putin's vibrant show in Kazan has its advantages for the Kremlin. Consequently, it has drawbacks for Ukraine. Many leaders from the Global South still traveled to Russia. By their presence, they confirmed that Russia's unjust war against Ukraine, resulting in hundreds of thousands of deaths, is acceptable, normal. In other words, almost half the world perceives our tragedy as if Ukrainians are not human. Just business.

Next time someone among us ponders whether our path lies in the West or the East, in the South or the North, remember the countries whose leaders came to Kazan in 2024 to support Putin's bloody spectacle. The current stage is built on the bones of Ukrainian children—killed and abducted. On the blood of Ukrainian men and women. Now, those who couldn't care less about Ukrainians are treading on it.

In contrast to the West, which is gathering another $50 billion for Ukraine for 2025. Sending more and more weapons so that Ukrainians can defend themselves. And politically, it stands on our side as well.

Because we are part of the Western world. The West is our family. No matter how complicated it is. Indecisive, sometimes even weak. But it is the only one capable of feeling us, supporting us, and sharing our pain. Only they stood by us in the most challenging hour of history—with weapons, money, economically, politically. Where friends are, where enemies are—this is crucial to remember.